SNA Update: Environment protection - meet with council (Dec-18)

Mike Neighbourly Lead from Eastbourne

Forwarded on behalf of the Lower Hutt Landowner group:

Hi all,

This will be the final update for 2018, but as always please let us know if you have questions in the meantime.

The key points for our community are:

• the Lower Hutt Landowner group met today with Deputy Mayor David Bassett and Cr’s Glenda Barrett & Leigh Sutton to agree a way forward.

• the next step is a series of workshops that commence in the New Year. This will all take place under the City Development Committee which has restructured to absorb the District Plan Committee. Lisa Bridson has resigned as Chair, and David Bassett is in place.

• it is key to remember that council still has obligations to meet, and Forest & Bird maintain their intent to take HCC to the Environment court which could see us back at square one with SNAs. So we must work effectively with council to form a plan to move forward.

ONE FINAL THING:
If you’d like to be part of the working group, please email: lowerhuttlandowners@gmail.com and we will pass your details to council for the invite. We ESPECIALLY need stronger representation from Stokes Valley and Western Hills.

See the summary below of today’s meeting with the council.

All invoices have been paid. Kindly, donations continue to be offered so please visit the Give-a-little link should you wish to contribute.

All the best for the holiday season and we look forward to your continued support in 2019.
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Dear David, Glenda and Leigh,

Thank you very much for meeting with us today. It was refreshing and much appreciated.

I’ve summarised key items from our meeting with actions to be reviewed next time.

Please do revert and let me know if I’ve missed or misunderstood anything. Items 2 and 3 were discussed in more depth after you and Cr’s left at 5pm.

KEY ACTIONS / REQUESTS
1. we are keen to hear how council are challenging GRWC / central government on the NPS where the use of “significant” is far too broad to set the community and council up for success (as per email from Cr Milne)

2. we would really like council to consider engaging Stephen Fuller from Boffa Miskel who has some excellent ideas for part-voluntary. However, we would like to be involved in the brief provided to Boffa

3. we would like to see in good faith, that council confirm they have ceased work with Wildlands for SNA, at least for the purpose of any protection on private land

4. we request council ask for an extension for plan change 36. Submissions are due this Tuesday but this proposal has not been well communicated and needs sound consideration, especially as it pertains to the work that lays ahead of us (formally known as SNA work).

NEXT STEPS:
5. Landowners and council sit down with a blank piece of paper and talk ideas for protection on both public land, and voluntary for private land (note was made on 2002 case where e-court ruled voluntary was the best way forward but council still have controls to uphold).

- This should occur with reps from today’s group, as well as Iwi, Stokes Valley & Western Hills.

- Officers will also be involved.

- While POWER Inc. will offer to our followers, we also ask that council make effort to advise landowners that they can join workshops.

- We request to co-select any facilitator.

6. council to contact the 1,200 original households to officially retract the SNA proposal. This should take place ASAP but time is required for Bassett and Cr’s to review the work to-date and form high level next steps

7. council to book the date and locations for the next 3 meetings / workshops which should be monthly and arranged in advance for ease of inclusion

8. The landowner group have some ideas for the brainstorm, some of which have wider community members have submitted. So we will come prepared and open-minded at the first workshop.

We understand Mr Basset:
- has asked the CEO for a full report on matters to date which considers Officers’ information on work done so far

- is considering the capacity and workload between now and elections

- has asked for a revised group of officers to be considered to undertake the work ahead (and the landowner group requests that councillors provide appropriate direction and governance over officers).

Some side notes for council to look into, as requested:

- natives are being cleared on Hill Rd for the cycle track which is unnecessary and also sends an inequitable message to landowners

- under Urban Development, please look into the 1 and half Hectare rule.

Thanks again for your attendance.

Have a wonderful Christmas and we will wait to hear from you on the first workshop date in the New Year.

Regards

Kathryn, on behalf of the Lower Hutt Landowner group